~ It is with the greatest of regret that I, Bruce Bryant-Scott as Bishop’s Commissary, have accepted the resignation of The Reverend Pam Orman as Incumbent of St. Stephen, South Saanich effective February 2nd, 2009.

The Reverend Pam Orman will continue as Rector of St. Mary, Saanichton.”

The Book of Acts is the most frequently used Scripture for church growth. It records the explosive beginnings of the church in Jerusalem at Pentecost (see Acts 1-2), its continuing growth through the witness of Peter and John (see Acts 3-5), the enduring impact of Stephen’s martyrdom (see Acts 6-7), the scattering of the church of Jerusalem under Paul’s persecution and Philip’s consequent impact in Samaria (see Acts 8), and the subsequent spread of the church through Paul and Barnabas (see Acts 9-28).

Luke was the author of both Acts and the Gospel of Luke. The two books actually are one account, stretching from the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1 to the death of Paul in Acts 28. The Gospel of Luke is less frequently used as a reference for church growth. In Luke, however, the foundational ideas are laid that support the growth found in Acts.

The Gospel of Luke is prescriptive, whereas the Book of Acts is descriptive. The Gospel of Luke focuses on why things happened in the church while the Book of Acts focuses on what things happened in the church. The Gospel of Luke turns our attention to principles, while Acts turns our attention to practices.

Much literature has been developed on the phenomenon of church growth. Its focus has been to develop positive prescriptions by describing the practices or actions necessary for managing church growth. Its thrust has been on what the church must do to be successful. By contrast, our focus is on the phenomenon of church health-on determining what the church must be to be successful.

The small Baptist Church was stuck. Fred Smith, a 75 year old farmer and faithful Christian was the senior deacon. He sat on the church steps one summer’s night after the monthly deacons’ meeting, having a yarn with Bruce Tapper, the 35 year old pastor who had come from Theological College two years before. A cool easterly blew across the wheat stubble.

“You know, Bruce, I’ve been in this church for 50 years, but over the past 20 years the number attending church has declined and we are getting older. If we keep on going at this rate it won’ t be long before we have to close the door. How can we increase the number of people attending our church?”

Eric Radford, born in Durban, South Africa, March 21, 1925, passed away peacefully in Sidney, British Columbia on August 6, 2008. He leaves to join Margaret, his loving wife of 56 years, who died three months prior. Survived by his children: James (Claire); John (Lorraine); Ruth (Mike); Paul (Barbara); Stephen (Alta); and Andrew (Janine). 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 1:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church (Mt. Newton Cross Road) Saanichton.

Flowers gratefully declined; instead donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation. 490126

I am sad to bring you the news that our loving Dad and Friend passed away from this life peacefully Wednesday morning (Aug 6th). He is now in the hands of our Lord and with his darling Margaret.

The last few weeks have been very difficult for Dad as it became increasingly hard for him to breath. He smiled regularly over the last two days, showing that he was accepting and at peace with the inevitable.

There will be a service to celebrate Dad’s life this Saturday August 9th at St Stephen’s Church on Mt Newton Crossroad.

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